Star Trek: The Motion Picture
A destructive energy cloud is moving steadily through the galaxy, and Kirk, with his reunited crew and refitted ship, is sent to investigate. At its center is a probe called V'Ger. Taking the form of Lt. Ilia, the probe reveals itself to be searching for its parent or "creator," on Earth.
Why this film is regarded so poorly among fans is really baffling. As a film and as science fiction, its by far the best of the six. Yes, it's slow, but no more so than the venerable 2001: A Space Odyssey. Yes, the plot's thin and familiar, but it's simply a starting point. The themes, character development, score, and effects together create something grand, and instill a sense of wonder not felt with TOS before or since. The key is subtlety, best demonstrated by comparing the "simple feeling" scene to Spock's death in The Wrath of Khan. Both are emotional and greatly significant to Kirk and Spock's friendship, but the latter in a gut-wrenching, tear-jerking way. There's nothing wrong with that approach, but it's avoided here.
Characterization is subtle, but strong. The approach of age Kirk feels strongly in Khan begins here, in his competition with the young Decker. McCoy gets to play psychiatrist and has the wittiest lines. The others, I'll admit, don't advance much, but contribute where necessary. Nice to see Chapel and Rand too. Ilia and Decker are wonderful additions, the latter playing a dual role as V'Ger's alter ego. (Who's actually more romantically inclined than the lieutenant.) Things really pick up after the mind meld and we start, as Kirk used to say, "getting some answers." They do find the probe's origin (nice tie-in to real life events.) Rhe answers V'Ger seeks can't be expressed in words, but are revealed instead in the transcendent conclusion. The probe's explosion with a pause then the ship immerging is an amazing visual. Bones speaks of delivering a baby, and the "human adventure is just beginning." True, but Kirk and company might never find something this strange and new again.
Themes: The value of human emotion, the need for growth and change in all beings, the penetration of the unknown, the union of man and machine, the quest for ultimate truth . . . the heavy stuff.
Production: "Lavish" is a good summary. The effects remain totally stunning, especially the drydock sequence. Where else do we get a moment (or ten) to ponder the vastness of this starship? The only dated elements are the worm hole and those uniforms. The yellow jackets worn when confronting V'Ger are especially awful. But otherwise, just beautiful. The score has never been topped, from the famous epic opening fanfare to the gentle Ilia's Theme to the laser-tinged Klingon Imperial March, each a deserved classic. Goldsmith can rouse the spirit without continuous a John Williams bombast.
Spock: Of all the TOS episodes and films, this is the most significant installment in terms of Spock's change and growth. Often Star Trek producers mistake character exposition for development, revealing the past or the underlying convictions of a beloved Starfleet officer, without him or her changing. Spock, however, has always been dynamic, shifting a bit towards his human side, or towards his Vulcan side, or ultimately trying to accept that he's unique. Here he attempts to make a definitive choice, to become fully Vulcan by purging himself of all emotion through the kohlinar discipline. Alas, the V'Ger probe, and no doubt Kirk, stir feelings within him that his superiors can't excuse. They tell him he's not achieved kohlinar and that his path lies elsewhere.
Arriving on the ship, he's still very Vulcan. No pleasantries exchanged with the crew, no smirk, not even a jab at McCoy. Though Nimoy didn't think this Spock much fun to play, he does a remarkable job remaining totally expressionless, yet intense and wise. Kirk and McCoy can't seem to cheer him up and fear this is the way their friend will remain. But there's a hint of the "old Spock" in his decision to contact V'Ger without the captain's order or awareness. With the probe he initiates what is certainly his most intense mind meld ever, knocking him out and requiring a rescue mission from Kirk. Jim will go to any length to save his friend.
What does Spock learn from V'Ger? He gains information to help with the mission, and shares the vastness of knowledge that V'Ger has amassed. But what is absent is most significant . . .
Since the beginning of TOS, Spock has stated his love of computers, and Jim and Bones have teased him for it. But the Vulcan takes them quite seriously, as the ideal of logical and ordered thinking. Surely meeting this ultimate computer, from a machine planet, he would glimpse what has always eluded him, and find the destiny his people spoke of? " And yet with all its pure logic, V'ger is barren. Cold. No mystery, no beauty," he says laughing faintly, smiling. He grips Kirk's hand. " This simple feeling is beyond V'ger's comprehension." To help V'Ger find hope, meaning, even God, Kirk and his crew must give it - human emotion.
It's not a flashy scene, but its importance cannot be overstated. Spock has a feeling, and realizes its full value. He knows all he has ever tried to reject is exactly what gives his life meaning. And he is at peace.